Dentistry Laws

The RCW and WAC that directly relate to:

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

Dentistry: chapter 18.32 RCW

Dental professionals: chapter 18.260 RCW

Dental anesthesia assistants: chapter 18.350 RCW

Dental hygienists: chapter 18.29 RCW

Dental Quality Assurance Commission Interpretive Statement

Dentist Standard of Care – Radiographs (PDF)

Dentist–Sleep Dentistry (PDF)

Dental Quality Assurance Commission Guidelines

Appropriate Use of Teledentistry (PDF)

Washington Administrative Code

Dental Quality Assurance Commission

Dentist Supervision Requirements

Dental assistant required supervision and allowable/prohibited tasks

Expanded function dental auxiliary required supervision and allowable/prohibited tasks

Dental hygienists

Dental hygienist required supervision and allowable/prohibited tasks

Rules recently changed are on our What's Happening webpage.

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

A statute or Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is written by the Washington State Legislature. Once legislation is signed by the governor, it becomes law.

The website for RCWs is a searchable database online. You may also access the state government website. If you're interested in obtaining a copy of any RCW, contact your local public library.

Other relevant RCWs are:

Chapter 19.68 RCW - Rebating By Practitioners of Healing Professions

Chapter 18.130 RCW - Regulation of Health Professions – Uniform Disciplinary Act

RCW 26.44.030 - Abuse of Children and Adult Dependent Persons

Chapter 34.05 RCW - Administrative Procedures Act

Chapter 42.56 RCW - Public Records Act

Chapter 70.02 RCW - Medical Records-Health Care Information Access and Disclosure

RCW 70.225.020 - Prescription Monitoring Program

Chapter 74.34 RCW - Abuse of Vulnerable Adults

Chapter 71.05 RCW - Mental Illness

Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

A rule or Washington Administrative Code (WAC) is written to provide interpretive support for the individuals or entities to whom the rule applies. Department of Health rules are written and adopted by a board or commission, or the secretary of the Department of Health. Rules or WACs carry the full force of the law.

WACs are available on the state government website.

The WACs that relate to:

WAC 246-12 - Administrative Procedures and Requirements for Credentialed Health Care Providers

WAC 246-15 - Whistleblower Complaints in Health Care Settings

WAC 246-16 - Standards of professional conduct